Absolutely satisfied? Very satisfied?

[Tedwonny]

We are taught that adjectives in English can be classified into gradable (e.g quite hot, very hot, ...) and non-gradable, the latter of which can only be preceded by certain intensifiers such as 'absolutely' but not others like 'very, quite'.
E.g. Very beautiful - correct, hence beautiful is gradable
E.g. very gorgeous - wrong, hence gorgeous is nongradable

However, I can't determine the class 'satisfied' belongs to since absolutely satisfied and very satisfied seem to be correct and used by many. What do you think ?

 

[Power English]

I would say it is "gradable" but perhaps in a different way than you outline above.

In the sense that one could partly satisfy certain criteria, or completely satisfy said criteria, it seems "gradable". However, if the criteria are satisfied completely, this means they are also satisfied in an absolute manner... or absolutely satisfied?

Just my thoughts... Sorry, I just typed as I was thinking! I do believe one can be very satisfied or absolutely satisfied!

 

[Power English]

I believe satisfy cannot be considered gradable in the way you stated above. However, it can be graded. For example, one can be partly satisfied or completely satisfied. One can therefore also be absolutely satisfied.

 

[Power English]

Oops! My first post didn[url="http://www.power-english.co.uk]'[/url]t post immediately, so i did another!

 

[MikeNewYork]

Power English, were you not told to indicate in every answer you give that you are "not a teacher"? Please comply with moderator's requests.

 

[MikeNewYork]

For me, "satisfied" is gradable.

 

[Tedwonny]

For me, "satisfied" is gradable.

Thanks, so, does it mean then that 'absolutely satisfied' is not a correct collocation?
Thanks

 

[Rover_KE]

No — it means the opposite: 'absolutely satisfied' is correct.

 

[Power English]

Power English, were you not told to indicate in every answer you give that you are "not a teacher"? Please comply with moderator's requests.

Not a teacher.

Apologies! Consider it done from now on. Is it possible to include a signature stating that?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes. Please do that.:-D